Non-fiction nudges needed for citizenkelly
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1citizenkelly
As mentioned on the message board, these are all non-fiction, because I'm up to my eyeballs in (mostly bad) fiction right now; and they're here because I don't like updating my profile page too often!
In case the titles aren't legible, they are:
By Hook or by Crook
Queen of Wits
Darfur
God's War
The Lost Village
Stuffed and Starved
Schulz and Peanuts
City of Laughter
Mad, Bad and Sad
Has anyone read any of these and can recommend one? Or perhaps something similar that might be better? Many thanks in advance!
2dylanwolf
Hello Carolyn,
I seem to be reading exclusively fiction at the moment and I'm not that familiar with the authors on your nonfiction tbr. However I would definitely plump for reading Gerard Prunier on Darfur.
Aside that the lighter subjects of English with David Crystal - who I do recognise - I've got a light-hearted guide to English grammar by him. And many years ago I was addicted to Peanuts, but I guess I'd be skimming the Schulz book rather then reading it.
I'd probably benefit more from learning about Oliver Cromwell in God's Executioner
Happy reading and thanks for picking up on the nudge idea!
I seem to be reading exclusively fiction at the moment and I'm not that familiar with the authors on your nonfiction tbr. However I would definitely plump for reading Gerard Prunier on Darfur.
Aside that the lighter subjects of English with David Crystal - who I do recognise - I've got a light-hearted guide to English grammar by him. And many years ago I was addicted to Peanuts, but I guess I'd be skimming the Schulz book rather then reading it.
I'd probably benefit more from learning about Oliver Cromwell in God's Executioner
Happy reading and thanks for picking up on the nudge idea!
3citizenkelly
Thanks Kevin! I think you're probably right about Darfur - I know it will depress and anger me, but we have to face these things, I suppose. Perhaps Schulz and Peanuts straight afterwards for some light relief!
4kiwidoc
Carolyn - you have put a spanner amongst the pigeons with your choices. I recognize some of the titles but unfortunately have read none. So my nudge would have to be made on topic.
The David Crystal book looks interesting - on accents and language. I read another of his on the English language which I found a bit disjointed, but readable.
Fluffing about as I know nothing about the book.
The David Crystal book looks interesting - on accents and language. I read another of his on the English language which I found a bit disjointed, but readable.
Fluffing about as I know nothing about the book.
5kiwidoc
City of Laughter looks good too, as I like that time in history, as well as God's Executioner.
So I think I will nudge you for City of Laughter as it looks intriguing and I want to know what you think of it......
So I think I will nudge you for City of Laughter as it looks intriguing and I want to know what you think of it......
6cushlareads
I haven't read any of these either but will be keeping my eyes open for them!
My picks would be God's War or God's Executioner but that's just based on my own gaps in reading.
So my one nudge would be God's Executioner because the Crusades book looks really, really long.
Cushla
My picks would be God's War or God's Executioner but that's just based on my own gaps in reading.
So my one nudge would be God's Executioner because the Crusades book looks really, really long.
Cushla
7tiffin
Mine would be God's Executioner too, Cushla, but that's because that whole era is so interesting (much as I detest Cromwell). The one about the crusades does look interesting though....
8polutropos
I am new in the group though certainly not new at pushing good books at people whether they like it or not LOL. Since you explicitly said in your first post "perhaps something similar that might be better" I would recommend a spectacular book by Romeo Dallaire called Shake Hands With the Devil. Great story, great man.
9FlossieT
Hello Carolyn - I'm going to nudge God's Executioner as well, but you should count it as only half a nudge - I haven't read it, but it sounds really interesting, so I'm interested to hear what you think!
10Thrin
I haven't read God's Executioner either. It's on my TBR list but hasn't made it to my nascent TBR *pile* yet. So I'll nudge it too.
11LolaWalser
I'd go for Schulz and Peanuts, no question.
12kiwidoc
#11 That's surprising, LW. I didn't think Schulz had a very interesting life, but then I really have no idea.
13mrspenny
I'll also nudge God's Executioner - it is very well researched and contains good footnotes and is a very good read.
14LolaWalser
HOW could one be indifferent to the evolution of the genius behind "Peanuts"?!
(Also, I guess I'm shallow. Comparatively.)
But be warned, CitizenKelly, I think I remember that Schulz suffered from depression, so it may not be as light a read as you think.
(Also, I guess I'm shallow. Comparatively.)
But be warned, CitizenKelly, I think I remember that Schulz suffered from depression, so it may not be as light a read as you think.
15digifish_books
The Lost Village sounds interesting... I haven't read it yet (it is on my request list from my local library). I'm intrigued by the Peanuts book too :)
16billiejean
I would also go for the Schultz and Peanuts, book.
--BJ
--BJ
17timjones
Stuffed and Starved is on my to-acquire list, and I've heard that it's very good ... but I haven't actually read it yet. I know someone who founded the writers' colony at which Raj Patel wrote "Stuffed and Starved" - the same person is now trying to set up a writers' colony in Wellington, NZ, where I live. (Which, to be fair, doesn't really tell you a lot about the book.)
18rachbxl
I haven't read any of these, but I'd go with the David Crystal - I don't read as much non-fiction as I'd like, but I've really enjoyed several of his books (although as a linguist I'm on home ground with him).
20citizenkelly
Hallo all, and sincere thanks for your tips - apologies for buggering off, but I had an awful lot on my plate for a couple of weeks and then *ahem* sort of forgot about this group. Bad Carolyn.
I've only tackled God's Executioner so far, and was somewhat disappointed by the distinct lack of intellectual rigour - whereas O Siochru successfully navigated the incredibly complicated relationships and alliances between the various groups involved in 1640's Ireland (pro-royalist native Irish, pro-parliament-and-then-pro-royalist Ulster Irish, pro-parliament Dublin governent, pro-royalist Old English, pro-parliament settlers, pro-royalist Lord Lieutenant, anti-everything Catholic bishops, are you keeping track?), I thought the central premise of the book (the massacres at Drogheda and Wexford) a. took up too little of the book to justify the inflamatory title and b. were supported by really quite spurious arguments. Being Irish, and of a naturally fiery temperament, I was of course pre-inclined to roar and bellow and applaud each sentence of this book in reams of justified anger, but alas. Unconvinced. But I'm very gald to have read it, so thanks to those of you who nudged me!
Instead of starting a new pile, I feel compelled to continue with this one, although I don't know if that's quite the fashion, since I'm somewhat out of the loop...
Nevertheless: Over the holiday period, I'll probably give Queen of Wits a shot.
>8 polutropos: Thank you, polutropos, for picking up on my 'something similar' request - I have read both of those books and therefore now trust your recommendation skills immensely!
ETA: Feel free to keep nudging, by the way! New pile in January. Off to do some nudging myself.
I've only tackled God's Executioner so far, and was somewhat disappointed by the distinct lack of intellectual rigour - whereas O Siochru successfully navigated the incredibly complicated relationships and alliances between the various groups involved in 1640's Ireland (pro-royalist native Irish, pro-parliament-and-then-pro-royalist Ulster Irish, pro-parliament Dublin governent, pro-royalist Old English, pro-parliament settlers, pro-royalist Lord Lieutenant, anti-everything Catholic bishops, are you keeping track?), I thought the central premise of the book (the massacres at Drogheda and Wexford) a. took up too little of the book to justify the inflamatory title and b. were supported by really quite spurious arguments. Being Irish, and of a naturally fiery temperament, I was of course pre-inclined to roar and bellow and applaud each sentence of this book in reams of justified anger, but alas. Unconvinced. But I'm very gald to have read it, so thanks to those of you who nudged me!
Instead of starting a new pile, I feel compelled to continue with this one, although I don't know if that's quite the fashion, since I'm somewhat out of the loop...
Nevertheless: Over the holiday period, I'll probably give Queen of Wits a shot.
>8 polutropos: Thank you, polutropos, for picking up on my 'something similar' request - I have read both of those books and therefore now trust your recommendation skills immensely!
ETA: Feel free to keep nudging, by the way! New pile in January. Off to do some nudging myself.
21staffordcastle
Since you're going for round two on this pile, I'll nudge the David Crystal book - I've enjoyed several books by him, and must look out for a copy of this one!
22citizenkelly
Thanks, staffordcastle! I've read The English Language and was very impressed - and isn't that cover smashing? Right, that's next up, after Queen of Wits, and then I'll post a new TBR photo.
23kiwidoc
Round 2??
..... would love to hear what you think of Mad, Bad, Sad because the subject (mental illness in women over the past two hundred years) sounds so interesting. Also, the author is Canadian, so it must be good!! Therefore a nudgoid based on a desire to know, if that is allowed!!!
..... would love to hear what you think of Mad, Bad, Sad because the subject (mental illness in women over the past two hundred years) sounds so interesting. Also, the author is Canadian, so it must be good!! Therefore a nudgoid based on a desire to know, if that is allowed!!!
24citizenkelly
Oh Christ, absolutely, in fact I'll shove that in front of the other two! *blushing*
So: next up is Mad, Bad and Sad, then Queen of Wits, then By Hook or by Crook and to hell with the rest of'em.
So: next up is Mad, Bad and Sad, then Queen of Wits, then By Hook or by Crook and to hell with the rest of'em.